Grille for concealing automobile radiator cores



L. B. GREEN May 15, 1934.

GRILLE FOR CONCEALING AUTOMOBILE RADIATOR CORES Filed Feb. 16, 1933 I ventor. eg 5, Q1 8817 Patented May 15, 1934 STATS GRILLE FOR CONCEALING AUTOMOBILE RADIATOR COEES 12 Claims.

My invention relates to the general class of grilles in which louver blades or other louver elements extend parallel to each other and conjointly span an air-admitting opening to afford air passages between the consecutive louver ele ments, and more particularly relates to grilles of this class in which the louver elements are formed of sheet metal.

In its major objects, my invention aims to provide inexpensive and easily manufactured grilles of the just recited type which will effectively conceal any objects behind the grilles; and in which the louver elements can also be formed so as to deflect air in desirable directions.

In addition, my invention aims to provide grilles of the just recited advantageous characteristics which can readily be constructed so as to afford widely different frontal contours; as for example fiat grille fronts, V-fronts and bowed (barrel-side) fronts; and which also can readily afford widely different frontal appearances-es for example grille fronts presenting parallel straight-edged bar lines, grille fronts presenting concentric annular or arcuate lines, and grille fronts presenting a central panel surrounded by concentric annular lines. a

In their immediate commercial application, my here presented new grille constructions are particularly advantageous for disposition across the usual air-admitting opening of the front of an automobile radiator shell, because the grilles now commonly employed in connection with these frontal openings have these objections:

First-both the heretofore customary screen (or woven wire) type grilles as well as those which present consecutively spaced parallel louver blades afford wide openings through which the far from ornamental radiator core can be seen from many angles, thereby marring the frontal appearance of the automobile.

Second, both the crossed wire effects of screentype grilles and the parallel bar effects of the usual louver-type grilles are far from ornamental and will not harmonize with the curved lines which now are introduced into the designs of radiator shells for passenger automobiles and into frontal car parts adjacent to these shells.

And third, neither the mesh of a screen-type grille nor the bar sides of the louver-type grilles as'now in use have a material effect on the direction of the air admitted through them; so that the suction fan, which customarily is disposed behind the radiator core and has a horizontal axis intersecting a middle portion of the radiator core, draws so large a portion of the air through core cells near the axis of the suction fan that other core cells receive too little air for effectively cooling the water adjacent to these cells.

Illustrative of grilles overcoming the just recited objections to older types of grilles,

Fig. l is a fragmentary front elevation of the radiator shell of an automobile and of a louver type grille embodying my invention, with the louver elements of the grille comprising a central panel element surrounded by concentric annular louver elements, and. with these elements shaped both for concealing the radiator core behind the grille and for improving the distribution of the admitted air to the cells of that core.

Figs. 2 and 3 are enlarged fragmentary secw tions taken respectively along the lines 2-2 and 3-3 of Fig. l.

Fig.4 is a section allied to Fig. 3 but showing another cross-sectional shape of the central panel element.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary horizontal section, allied to a portion of Fig. 3, showing the central por tion of a grille in which all of the louver elements are annular.

6 is a fragmentary horizontal section allied to that of Fig. 4, showing the frontal portion of each non-central louver element as straddled by an ornamenting tube.

Fig. '7 is an enlarged perspective view of a fragment of one of the ornamental louver elements of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a cross-section through the central panel element and louver elements adjacent thereto, showing a formation of these elements differing from that of Figs. 1 to 7, but also concealing what is behind the grille and modifying the direction in which the air is emitted from the passages between the louver elements.

Fig. 9 is a transverse section through two adjacent louver elements, showing a part of a grille in which the order of the two relatively oblique web portions is the reverse of that shown in Fig. 3.

Figs. 10 and 11 are transverse sectionsthrough single louver elements allied to the two left-hand elements of Fig. 8, showing variations in the shapmg.

In the drawing, Fig. 1 is a fragmentary front' elevation of a radiator shell 1 which has its frontal opening 11!. spanned by a grille embodying my in vention. This grille, when constructed with concentric louver elements (after the manner more fully recited and also claimed in my copending application #657,037 on a Frontal grille for auto mobiles) comprises a forwardly dished central louver element including a frontal portion 2A, and

also including an annular and rearwardly flaring web 2B extending from the periphery of the said frontal portion, together with a plurality of concentric annular louver elements.

These annular louver elements are consecutively spaced from each other as shown in Fig. 3, and each thereof comprises a frontal portion 3A (here shown as of tubular section) together with a flange which consists of two consecutive web portions, namely a forward web 33 extending parallel to the web 23 of the central annular element, and a rear web extending substantially parallel to the axis F of the (axially horizontal) fan motor which usually is disposed behind a middle portion of the radiator core of the automobile, which core I am generally designating as i.

All of these annular louver elements desirably have uniform cross-sections in all generally radial directions, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, are uniformly spaced from one another, with the spacing between the flange or web 2B of the central louver element from the forward flange 3B of the innermost (or smallest diametered) annular louver element equal to the spacing 5 between the forward flanges of any two louver annular elements. Moreover, the forward flange 3B on the outer (or largest diametered) annular louver member preferably has its rear portion disposed behind the part of the shell front which borders the opening 1A. In addition, the frontal portions 3A of all of the annular louvers desirably present their most forward portions in a common surface S with at least the peripheral portion of the front face 2A of the central louver element.

These louver elements are all rigidly connected to each other by any suitable connecting structure, as for example by means of crossed bars, one of which is shown at B in Fig. 3 as extending behind all of the louver elements and as also having an end portion B fastened to the radiator shell, a desirable connecting structure for this purpose being also disclosed and claimed in my said copending application.

With the louver elements of my grille thus disposed, it will be obvious from the sight-lines 6 (shown dotted in Fig. 3) that each forward web 3B of each annular louver element except the largest diametered one intercepts a squarely frontal view through the air passage between that web and the corresponding web on the next larger diametered annular element. The web 23 on the central louver element likewise intercepts a squarely frontal View through the air passage between that element and the innermost annular louver element, and the forward web on the outermost annular element intercepts a squarely frontal view through the air passage between this largest-diametered annular element and the border 13 of the opening in the shell front.

Likewise, it will be seen from the dotted sightline 7 in Fig. 3 that each rearward web 3C on an annular louver element intercepts a view through the passage between that element and the next larger-diameter element when the view is even at the extreme angle to the fan axis F, namely along the outward face of the forward web 33 of the smaller of these two elements. And, as shown by the sight line 8, the side flange of the radiator shell likewise obstructs a view in a similar angular direction through the air passage between the largest-diametered annular louver element and the radiator shell.

Consequently, when the rearward flange 3C on each annular element is of suhicient width so as to be intercepted by the surface of the forward tween consecutive elements from the inlet of the face of the forward web 3B on the next smaller element, namely a surface in which the sight line 7 lies, this grille will entirely conceal whatever is behind it. In a frontal grille for an automobile this means a complete concealing of the cell portion as well as the headers of the radiator core 4. And while effecting this concealment, the louver elements also afford ample air passages for admitting the air needed for cooling the radiator.

Furthermore, by having the forward webs 3B of the annular louver elements flare rearwardly and by similarly disposing the single peripheral web 2B of the central louver element, I offset the outlet of each of the annular air passages besame passage in a direction radially away from the said fan axis F. For example, air entering one such air passage along the dotted line 9 in Fig. 3 will be emitted from this passage along the dotted line 9A, so as to be directed toward the core cell 4B instead of a core cell 4A nearer to the axis F of the suction fan. Consequently, my core-concealing louver also improves the efliciency of the radiator core by directing a larger proportion of the air toward the core cells which are radially outward of the axis of the fan, which latter core cells are less influenced by thesuction of the fan than the ones nearer to the said axis.

In practice, the cross-sectional shape of the louver elements can be varied considerably while still having the grille completely conceal what is behind it. Thus, Fig. 4 shows annular louver elements in which the rearward 'webs 3C diverge rearwardly away from the axis F of the grille instead of being parallel to that axis as in Fig. 3, thereby enhancing the air spreading eifect. This figure also shows a central element in which the frontal portion 2A of Figs. 1 to 3 is omitted, in which the forward webs 10 are adjoined directly at their front ends, and in which this central louver element also has rearward webs 10C parallel to the webs 30 of the annular elements, so as to aid in deterring the concentration of air toward the axis of the fan by the suction of the latter.

Moreover, a complete concealing of what is behind the grille together with a lateral spreading of the admitted air can also be obtained by using longitudinally straight-edged louver elements having uniform cross-sections, such as those shown in Figs. 3 and 4 instead of elements of endless arcuatecontour, when a grille of a customary upright, horizontal or other parallel-bar type is desired. Also, the central panel element might be omitted, as shown in Fig. 5, although with a reduction of the air-spreading effect. Such straight-edged louvers can be cheaply formed from 'sheet'metal strips, as even the curling of one longitudinal edge to form a tubular 1:35 frontal portion is aninexpensive operation. This curling might even be omitted (as should be obvious without separate illustration) without decreasing the improved air-directing.

On the other hand, with longitudinally 149 straight-edged annular louver elements of crosssections of the general form shown in Figs. 3 to 5, the appearance of the grille can be enhanced by sliding or clinching a longitudinally slitted ornament-ing tube 11 over each of the curled 1.45 frontal portions 3A, as shown in Fig. 6. In this case, the tubular frontal portion preferably has its axis 12 in the medial plane of the adjacent frontal web 33 of the louver element, as shown on alarger scale in Fig. 7, so that the forward face l 5,0.

of that web is not tangential to the curled frontal portion (as in Fig. 3), but projects beyond the plane of the said face, as shown in Fig. '7.

Many other changes in the construction and arrangement of the louver elements of my grille may also be made without departing either from the spirit of my invention or from the appended claims. For example, if the louver elements are spaced more widely (in proportion to the joint width of their two webs) than in Figs. 3 to 5, as shown in Fig. 6, the grille will still obscure the view through its passages to a considerable extent.

If the grille is to bedisposed at such a distance from the radiator core that the heretofore described air-distributing effect is not materially advantageous, or when the grille is to be used for purposes in which no suction fan is behind it, the directions in which the forward webs are inclined with respect to a medial plane of the grille may be reversed from that shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Thus, Fig. 8 shows a cross-section through a grille in which the forward webs 13B of the central louver element converge rearwardly to ward the medial plane P, while the rear webs 13C diverge rearwardly, and in which the noncentral louver elements 14 have their webs direct-- ed similar to the webs in the nearer side portion of the central web.

Instead of making the louver webs flat,-one or both of these might be of a curved cross-section, as shown for both such webs in Fig. 10. The width and cross-sectional shape of the frontal portions, the relative direction of the two webs with respect to each other and to the frontal surface S of the grille, and the relative width of these webs may also be varied considerably. Thus, Fig. 11 shows a cross-section of a louver element having a relatively wide andflat-faced frontal portion 16, a forward web 16B extending at a more acute angle to the general frontal surface S of the grille than in Fig. 8, and a rearward web 16C of considerably less width than the forward web. Allied variations also could be obviously made in louver elements in which the plane. (corresponding to the plane P in Fig. 8) which extends parallel to the longitudinal edges of straight-edged louver blades, as in Fig. 9, while the rearward webs 15C areinclined to the said medial plane. Thus, my grille construction lends itself to the economical manufacturing of grilles of widely varying appearances, all of which will accomplish one or more of the recited objects of my invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. A substantially upright grille comprising concentric annular louver elements spaced consecutively from each other to afford air passages between them; the said elements presenting forward edges in a common frontal surface, each of the said louver elements comprising two webs extending consecutively rearward from its frontal edge and at an angle to each other; the spacing of the elements being so proportioned to the width of the webs and to the said angular disposition of the two webs that the two webs of each louver element intercept views from the front of the grille respectively through the air passages at opposite sides of that element, each web of the louver element extending at an angle of between 45 and degrees to the said frontal surface,

with the rearward web presenting free edge at the rear face of the grille.

2. A substantially uprightgrille comprising concentric annular louver elements spaced consecutively from each other to afford air passages betweenthem; the said elements presenting forward longitudinal edge portions in a common frontal. surface, each of the said louver elements including two webs extending consecutively rearward from its frontal edge at an angle to the said surface and at an angle to each other; the spacing of the elements being so proportioned to the width of the webs and to the said angular disposition of the two webs that the two webs of each louver element entirely intercept a view from the front of the grille through the air passage between that louver element and anadjacent louver element. 1

3. A substantially upright grille comprising co-parallel and consecutively spaced louver elements presenting their forward and their rearward longitudinal edges respectively in a common frontal surface and a common rear surface of the grille, each of the said louver elements consisting of two flat webs extending consecutively rearward from its forward edge with the faces of the two webs at different angles to the said frontal surface; the said angles being equal for the corresponding webs in the louver elements of each lateral mid-height portion of the grille, but with the openings of these angles relatively reversed in the two lateral side portions of the grille; and a connecting structure extending behind and fastened to each of the louver elements for rigidly maintaining the louver elements in their said disposition.

4.'A grille as per claim 3, including a central louver element disposed between the laterally innermost louver eleinents of the elements in the said side portions of the grille, the central element having two webs extending rearwardly respectively from its lateral edges and respectively parallel to the forward webs of the, elements between which the central element is interposed.

5. A generally upright grille comprising a central louver element having at each sidethereof a web portion extending rearwardiy and laterally outward of the grille, two sets of non-central louver elements disposed respectively at opposite sides of the central element, each of the noncentral louver elements presenting its forward longitudinal edge in a common grille-front surface with the front of the central element each non-central element including two web portions extending longitudinally of that element and con secutively rearward from its said forward edge, and at relatively different angles to the said common surface, with each such web portions parallel to the web on the central element which is in the same lateral half of the grille; and connecting means for rigidly connecting all of the said louver elements.

6. A generally upright grille comprising a cen tral louver element having at each side thereof a web portion extending rearwardly and laterally outward of the grille, two sets of non-central louver elements disposed respectively at opposite sides of the central element, each of the noncentral louver elements presenting its forward longitudinal edge in a common grille-front surface with the front of the central element; each non-central element including a frontal portion, and two flanges extending rearwardly respectively from opposite sides of its said frontal portion, each such flange comprising a forward and a rearward portion respectively parallel to the two web portions of the non-central elements which are in the same lateral half of the grille with the flange.

7. A substantially upright grille comprising concentric annular louver elements spaced consecutively from each other to afford air passages between them, the said elements presenting forward edges in a common frontal surface; each of the said louver elements comprising two webs extending consecutively rearward from its frontal edge and at an oblique angle to each other; all of the louver elements having their forward webs parallel to each other, and also having their rearward webs parallel to each other, and both webs of each louver element being at such angles to the said common frontal surface that the air passage between each two adjacent louver elements extends continuously rearward from the said frontal surface and opens at the rear edges of the same louver elements, the spacing of the elements being so proportioned to the width of the webs and to the said angular disposition of the two webs that the two webs of each louver element intercept views from the front of the grille respectively through the air passages at 0pposite sides of that element.

8. A substantially upright grille comprising concentric annular louver elements spaced consecutively from each other to afford air passages between them, the said elements presenting forward edges in a common frontal surface; each of the said louver elements comprising two webs extending consecutively rearward from its frontal edge and at an oblique angle to each other; all of the louver elements having their forward webs parallel to each other, and also having their rearward webs parallel to each other, and both webs of each louver element being at such angles to the said common frontal surface that the air passage between each two adjacent louver elements extends continuously rearward from the said frontal surface and opens at the rear edges of the same louver elements; the spacing of the elements being so proportioned to the width of the webs and to the said angular disposition of the two webs that the forward web of each louver element through an air passage between that louver element and an adjacent louver element, while the rear web of the same first named louver element intercepts a view through the next air passage in a direction par allel to the forward web.

9. A grille comprising co-parallel and consecutively spaced strip-like louver elements disposed with a longitudinal edge portion of each element in a common grille-front surface with the longitudinal edge portions of other elements; each louver element including a forward web extending rearwardly from its said frontal edge portion at an angle to the said surface, and a second web extending rearwardly from the rear edge of the forward web, the said webs extending respectively at angles of approximately and of approximately between and degrees to the said common surface; the opening of the approximately 45 degree angle for webs of louver elements in the two lateral halves of the grille being in relatively reversed directions.

10. A substantially upright grille comprising co-parallel and consecutively spaced louver elements presenting their forward longitudinal edges in a common frontal surface and presenting only their rear edges in a common rearward surface, each of the said louver elements consisting of two flat webs extending consecutively rearward from its forward edge with the faces of the two webs at different angles to the said frontal surface; the said angles being equal for the corresponding webs in the louver elements of each lateral mid-height portion of the grille, but with the openings of these angles relatively reversed in the two lateral side portions af the grille, and the spacing between each two consecutive louver elements being a minor fraction of the joint width of the two webs of a louver element.

11. A grille comprising consecutively spaced, co-parallel and strip-like louver elements; each of the said elements being bent approximately along its medial longitudinal line so as to present two diverging webs, and the said webs extending consecutively rearward from the frontal surface of the grille, with the faces of each web at an angle to the said frontal surface and with the free edge of the rearward web of each louver element in the rearward surface of the grille; whereby each two consecutive louver elements border an elbowesectioned air passage having its inlet opening at the front of the grille, and having its outlet opening at the rear face of the grille, with the outlet opening offset transversely of the free edges of the two louver elements from the inlet opening.

12. A grille as per claim 11, in which the angles between the said frontal surface are such that the said offsetting of the outlet opening of each such air passage from the inlet opening of the same passage is away from the central portion of the grille.

LEE B. GREEN. 

